I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 259 together.
The Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme is in place to support the greening of the SPSV, or taxi, sector. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, reducing the CO2 emissions of a sector which typically has very high mileage, and also can positively influence the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles.
The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use. The Scheme is funded by the Department of Transport and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs. Since its launch in February 2018, the eSPSV Grant Scheme has supported over 1,400 SPSV drivers in purchasing electric vehicles. €15m has been allocated to the Scheme in 2023 to enable owners of small public service vehicles, such as taxis, hackneys and limousines, to buy electric vehicles. I am pleased to advise that the scheme is now open for applications.
My department and the NTA are aware of the licence issue and in that regard, the eSPSV information guide has been updated and published here. References to the Maximum Permissible Age have now been updated to reference the original definition in S.I. No. 33/2015 - Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015).
